Four Iowa State students named Goldwater Scholars

AMES, Iowa -- Four Iowa State University Honors students have received Goldwater Scholarships, the nation's premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering.

Iowa State's University Honors Program, which coordinates nominations and applications, announced the scholarships today. They are awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

A total of 283 Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,166 applicants nationwide. The Iowa State students are:

Jacob William Harry, a senior in aerospace engineering from Clive, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. and conduct research in advanced spacecraft propulsion.

Thomas Ray Knief, a senior in physics from Cedar Falls, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics and conduct research in materials science.

William Robin Lindemann, a senior in materials science engineering and mathematics from Champaign, Ill., who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science and conduct research in and teach advanced ceramics.

Rachel Liana Philiph, a senior in materials science engineering from Wildwood, Mo., who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science and conduct research on biological applications of polymers in a collaborative environment.

"This is the first time we’ve had four Goldwaters," said Dana Schumacher, Honors Program assistant director for scholarship and research. "It demonstrates the quality of ISU’s academic programs and the university’s dedication to undergraduate research."

Schumacher said universities can nominate up to four candidates for the national competition. ISU's candidates are selected through an on-campus competition.

"It makes this year’s 100 percent success all the sweeter," she said.

The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established in 1986. The scholarship program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering.

The one- and two-year undergraduate scholarships will cover the cost of tuition fees, books and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

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Four Iowa State University Honors students have received Goldwater Scholarships, the nation's premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. A total of 283 Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,166 applicants nationwide. The maximum number of applicants that an institution can submit is four. All four of ISU's were selected for the first time.